We break down the five key themes from our podcast This Much I Know with Karen McCartney with Eva-Marie Prineas, principal architect of Studio Prineas. Reflecting on 20 years of experience, Eva-Marie shares valuable insights into her sustainable approach to architecture, focusing on the power of relationships, innovative problem-solving, and creating meaningful, lasting design solutions for everyday living.
1. Heritage Preservation
The podcast with Eva-Marie Prineas explores the evolution of her architectural practice and its design ethos, particularly in revitalising heritage spaces and how she navigates structural challenges in older buildings. While many architects may prefer a ‘clean slate’ with new builds, Prineas believes that maintaining original features adds depth and authenticity to the home.
Through examples such as her House Elysium project, Prineas discusses techniques for blending traditional and contemporary elements while maintaining structural integrity. “There’s a richness and an authenticity about keeping what’s there, celebrating it, and working out how we can make it all work together,” Prineas says.
2. Sustainable Design
Another key point of discussion is Studio Prineas’ commitment to sustainable architecture, with Prineas advocating for quality over quantity. With an emphasis on environmental responsibility, Prineas prioritises durable materials and thoughtful techniques that conserve resources while enhancing space functionality. She believes in guiding clients to repurpose spaces rather than expand unnecessarily. By consciously reducing environmental impact, Prineas ensures that every design will withstand the test of time.
3. Creating Meaningful Spaces
Prineas emphasises the importance of minimising design impact and layering personal touches into spaces to ensure the design isn’t over-complicated but authentic and lived-in. Reflecting on her own experiences with her family, Prineas discusses how this has shaped how she thinks about design, particularly living and the importance of ‘home’ over time. “One of the things that we’ve always said is that we understand and adapt places that are already special; we think about the place and the family that’s going to live there,” Prineas reflects. “I don’t believe that architecture needs to be that fussy; it just needs to create a beautiful vessel for home life,” she adds.
Eva-Marie Prineas, founder of Studio Prineas
4. The Power of Relationships
Prineas’s people-centered approach to client relationships, as well as her collaboration with engineers and builders, underscores her dedication to creating homes that seamlessly blends into the client’s lifestyle. By fostering trust, remaining open to adjustments and maintaining extensive communications, Prineas ensures that projects meet both design-led and functional goals. This philosophy of iterative and responsive design shapes Studio Prineas’ long-lasting impact in conservation and contemporary architecture.
5. Innovative Problem-solving
Throughout the podcast, Prineas highlights the importance of flexibility in design. Prineas discusses how these obstacles often lead to unexpected opportunities, as seen in their Fisherman’s House project where an unexpected change during construction ultimately led to a welcomed addition. ‘There’s always going to be unknown scenarios, especially when you’re dealing with existing buildings,” Prineas says. “Those challenges are what make something really special. They bring out the best solutions sometimes, and I think the difficult projects are often the best ones,” she adds.
